12 Dec 2019

MP for Mmadinare, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi has implored Batswana to tap into opportunities brought about by the current administration that are anchored on the principle of inclusivity.

When debating the State-Of-Nation Address on December 10, MP Molebatsi said the principle of inclusivity was the right path to economic transformation as no one would be left behind.

He said the reforms brought about by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi through the principle of inclusivity were also buttressed in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which called for a concerted effort towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for the people.

He said the vision of inclusivity was also shared  by Botswana Democratic Party’s Manifesto  which states that ‘Every Motswana must be given the platform to apply themselves fully in whatever vocation they are pursuing, whether  public services, private sector, entrepreneurship, arts or even in politics.’

Mr Molebatsi appealed to government to invest in agriculture as a sector which could grow and diversify the economy. He said there were quick benefits in horticulture, aquaculture and dairy farming, adding that investment in agriculture could reduce the import bill in food such as dairy products, food and vegetables.

He said Mmadinare residents should be assisted to utilise raw water from Shashe Dam for irrigation.

“We need to encourage Mmadinare and Tobane people with farms around Motloutse River to use the new ISPAAD to develop commercial horticulture farms around the two rivers,” he stated.

He said there was potential for high productivity through cluster farming which could empower communities practising commercial agriculture. He cited a cluster in Sefophe called Molemo that comprised a group of farmers who own a farm measuring over 3000 hectares.

Mr Molebatsi said his constituents could use supplementary irrigation for field crops promoted through adequate water supply along rivers in the constituency such as Motloutse, Letlhakane, Molabe and Shashe Rivers.

He suggested that fish farming was viable and could contribute significantly to the economy as it had the potential to decrease imports and diversify the food production sector.

Mr Molebatsi also said there was potential for tourism at Dikgatlhong and Letsibogo Dam, as the two could be turned into picnic sites, thereby creating employment.

He also said Selebi Phikwe and Mmadinare could become digital hubs through the use of ICT provided by BOFINET’S fibre – optic cables.

The legislator said call centres could provide massive employment for youth in Mmadinare and Selebi Phikwe.

MP for Maun East, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile implored government to promote the tourism sector in Maun, which he said was one of the country’s mainstay.

He argued that Botswana lagged behind in promoting domestic tourism products that could benefit Batswana and create employment opportunities.

He dismissed local beneficiation on the tourism industry by the local communities as a far-fetched dream as long as international tourism agencies continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the local tourism beneficiation while Batswana wrestled over crumbs. 

He also said argued that government should relax requirements that regulated safari operations particularly in the delta as the current ones hindered locals’ participation because they were rigid and complex requirements.

Mr Kekgonegile also challenged government to ensure that tourism companies’ and Destination Management Companies (DMC) were situated in Botswana for bookings and payments to create revenue for the country, not foreign countries as was currently the case.

The Maun East legislator said due to the important role tourism played in the country’s economy there was need to facilitate the development of access roads to key destination areas in order to increase the number of tourists visiting the country.

 He said despite the level of accessibility and the state of infrastructure development achieved in Maun particularly the Maun airport facelift, there was still room for improvement in the road network citing Okavango Delta access road as a route that could improve the tourism industry.

He stated that government had not given the tourism sector the priority and resources it required to reach its full potential in terms of employment generation and economic diversification.  

He also implored government to safeguard the general welfare of workers especially those at the tourism camps whom he said suffered ill-treatment by their employers.

On other issues,  Mr Kekgonegile criticised the nomination of councillors arguing that the criteria used disregarded the will of voters by increasing councillors' two-thirds majority needed at Bobirwa, Gantsi, Serowe, Selebi Phikwe and Serowe.

He further said the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) would not give up in advocating  for workers welfare, education, agriculture, shelter, tourism and social protection, provision of infrastructure, the beef industry and sports among others.

He said UDC advocated that a department that dealt with social protection should be upgraded into a Ministry of Social Welfare and Protection.

He said programmes such as poverty eradication should be revamped, adding that mostly affected women with dependents and people with disabilities, hence there should be policies that facilitated their empowerment. ends